May 16, 2008

KNOWN GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR BEING A FELON IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AND CRACK

            DENVER – Johnny Scott Warren, age 31, of Denver, Colorado was sentenced late yesterday by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Edward Nottingham to serve 240 months (20 years) in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, United States Attorney Troy Eid and Acting ATF Special Agent in Charge Matthew Horace announced.  Warren was remanded by Chief Judge Nottingham, and ordered to start serving his sentence immediately.
            Warren, a known member of the Bloods street gang, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on August 22, 2007.  On December 20, 2007, Warren was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and for possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of crack cocaine. 
            Warren is a multi-convicted felon and a career offender. Warren’s prior convictions include conspiracy to commit robbery in Jefferson County, and unlawful use of a communications facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense in U.S. District Court in Denver.
            “Armed gang members need to reform or be removed from our community,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid.
            Matthew Horace, Acting Special Agent in Charge for ATF’s Field Division stated, “This is an example of what can occur when law enforcement collaboratively prioritizes public safety. Our communities are safer today because this dangerous gang member is away from them.  This is what Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is all about.”
            This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Denver Police Department, and the Colorado Department of Corrections Division of Adult Parole and Community Corrections.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roxane Perruso.
            This case is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.  Project Safe Neighborhoods is a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent and deter gun violence, including combating gang violence.

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